The unique characteristics of bimetallic batteries allow you to replace the usual cast-iron radiators, while the heat transfer efficiency and durability of the new radiators are not inferior to the traditional ones, and in appearance they are much superior to the old models. Batteries of this type are successfully used to organize heating of a country cottage and for installation in multi-storey city houses. The steel core is able to cope with the powerful pressure that is characteristic of centralized networks, and is also resistant to water hammer, from which urban heating plants are not immune.
In addition to the strength characteristics, bimetallic products show high resistance to aggressive environments, which is important in urban conditions, when the coolant is subjected to excessive alkalization or in it there is a high content of acids.
These devices are light in weight, look attractive, they have a high level of heat transfer and a long service life. It is not difficult to choose a radiator of the required size, as manufacturers have launched the release of various models.
Advantages and disadvantages of bimetal radiators
The considered devices have positive properties that distinguish them from other types of heaters:
- Longer service life. The device, made with high quality without disturbing the process, will reliably heat the room for at least 30 years;
- The steel base gives this product increased strength;
- A steel core, especially if it is made of high-carbon steel, is not afraid of a coolant with an excess of alkali and acids;
- High degree of heat transfer (up to 190 W per section);
- As standard, the radiator has a temperature controller that allows you to reduce or increase heat transfer;
- A large selection of colors and many design solutions for the appearance of the product, allow you to choose a radiator for any interior.
The following points can be attributed to negative qualities:
- Over the years, a different coefficient of expansion of the material can lead to internal friction, which is expressed in the appearance of noise;
- A small inlet and outlet diameter of the radiator pipes, if there are foreign substances in the coolant, can cause clogging. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to install a filter on the feed;
- High price.
Technical and operational specifications
When choosing a radiator, you should pay attention to its technical characteristics, which are reflected in the product passport. Typically, the following device information is important to the consumer:
- Power. It is measured in W and determines the ability of the device to transfer the amount of heat to the room at a standard value of the heating network of 70 ° C. Using this indicator,
- calculate the required number of sections for a particular object;
- Material strength. This characteristic is important when determining the type of heater according to the pressure indicator of the heating system. Measured in bar and ranges from 15-35 units;
- The limit level of the temperature of the coolant. Any bimetallic radiator can cope with a temperature of + 90 ° C;
- Dimensions It is important to determine the center distance and relate it to the size of the eyeliner. There are models with this indicator from 200 to 800 mm. The height, width and thickness of the product must comply with the recommended standards for installing a radiator in a room;
- Volume. They characterize the capacity of the radiator in liters, ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 liters;
- Weight. Standard products measuring 580x80x80 mm weigh about 2 kg.
Bimetallic Battery Device
Radiators of this type are produced by a complex technology by combining two types of metals. The basis of the product is a steel frame, inside of which the coolant moves. The stiffness of steel can successfully withstand high pressure, as well as resist corrosion.
Outside, the frame is clad in an aluminum casing. Aluminum can quickly heat up and transfer heat to the atmosphere. Also, the casing is equipped with special ribs that direct the flow of warm air into the room.
Prefabricated models are fastened together using nipples with the installation of gaskets made of rubber. Such compounds can withstand temperatures up to 200 ° C and network pressure up to 35 atm. Cast models have no internal connections.
Types of Bimetal Batteries
Bimetal radiators produce two types:
- Cast. In this case, the battery case is molded in special forms;
- Sectional. This option is assembled from separate sections that are joined together using a threaded connection.
The convenience of sectional models lies in the possibility of building up new sections as necessary. To increase the monolithic battery in this way will not work, but due to the breadth of the size range of radiators, they can be selected for any task.
The cost of monolithic models is higher than sectional by 20-30%.
For the heating device in residential and administrative buildings, both types of bimetal heating radiators are used. Which is better for an apartment - depends primarily on the heating system. For standard apartments in multi-storey buildings, it is better to use cast products, and sectional ones will perfectly cope with the load in a country house.
How to choose and what to pay attention to
To determine which radiator to choose, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the organization of heat supply at home and the following characteristics of the heaters themselves:
- the value of the pressure test, which is determined during testing of the product - this indicator should not be less than the peak values of the heating system;
- with an increased content of alkali or acids in the heating system, you should choose a heater with a core of stainless steel or copper;
- the external aluminum casing should be of sufficient thickness and not bent under mechanical stress, and the thickness of the rib protruding from the base should be from 1 mm or more;
- Recommended core wall thickness - more than 3 mm;
- in sectional batteries, it is advisable to check the connection pads for elasticity;
- the edge of the battery should have a width of at least 7 cm, this size gives maximum heat transfer;
- the minimum warranty period (less than two years) indicates the unreliability of this device, since the average service life of this type of radiator is 20 years.
Monolithic or sectional
Monolithic molded products withstand significant pressure and hydraulic shocks, so they should be installed in multi-storey buildings. Sectional products are not able to withstand such tests due to the weakening of the structure by the threaded connection of individual parts, but such heaters are easy to maintain and, if necessary, build up, which is impossible in the case of molten batteries in a private house.
Bimetallic or semi-bimetallic
In addition to standard radiators made of steel (or copper) and aluminum, semi-metal heaters are produced. In these products, the inner core is not only made of steel - aluminum elements are also present in it. Typically, aluminum is used to install vertical pipes.
Such a replacement of the base material significantly reduces the strength characteristics of the product, and the semi-bimetal radiators are slightly different from conventional aluminum batteries in terms of durability in aggressive heating systems. The joints of the aluminum pipe with the steel pipe become unusable very quickly due to the difference in the expansion coefficient of these metals when heated.
Semimetal radiators are slightly lighter than the original, so you should pay attention to this point when buying, since unscrupulous manufacturers may not indicate the exact parameters of the product. These heaters are closer to aluminum in terms of performance, so it is better to install them in a private house.
Distance between axles
All types of bimetallic radiators are divided by the distance between the inlet and outlet. Most often, the distance between the axles is 350 or 500 mm, but some manufacturers make batteries with a center distance of 200 and 800 mm.
Production material
Most bimetallic batteries are made with a steel frame and an aluminum shell. The steel core copes well with the overpressure of the network, resists corrosion, and the aluminum shell serves as an excellent heat distributor. Some manufacturers use high-carbon steel grades, which allows to achieve higher strength characteristics and durability of the product.
The more expensive, but the best option for bimetal radiators include batteries with a copper core. It is actually an eternal material with high strength. The service life of such products is at least 50 years.
Best bimetal radiators
There are many models and brands of bimetallic batteries in domestic chains, both domestic and foreign analogues. The reliability rating of bimetal heating radiators for an apartment includes several well-known manufacturers.
Reliable manufacturers
The most famous and reliable manufacturers include the following companies:
- Global Style. The Italian brand that produces radiators under the markings: Style, Style Extra, Style Plus. In the product line of this manufacturer are models with standard characteristics and products with unique strength indicators.
- Sira. Also a manufacturer from Italy, which focuses on the production of premium products.
- Rifar. Domestic brand. The company launched the production of heaters with various values of the center distance from 200 to 500 mm. The quality of the products is confirmed by a guarantee of 10 years.
- Tenrad. A manufacturer from Germany produces heaters for private houses equipped with an autonomous heating system, but the product line also includes devices that can withstand the high pressure of a centralized heating system.
- WARMA. Joint Russian-Chinese enterprise. The terms of reference are being developed in Russia, and the assembly of finished products is carried out in China. Radiators of this company are used for both autonomous and central heating systems.
- Könner. Russian company producing bimetallic batteries in China. The products of this company are also universal. The features include increased corrosion resistance of the metal and high strength, allowing you to hold powerful hydraulic shocks.
- TENRAD. German company placing orders for production in China. All products are quality tested by German engineers.
- Radena. Development of the design of radiators and control of finished products is carried out in Italy. Production China. Used center distance from 150 to 500 mm. Most models are perfect for Russian operating conditions in a central network.
- Fondital. An Italian manufacturer of predominantly aluminum heaters. Bimetallic products are also present in the product line, and their quality and cost can be attributed to the premium segment.
This review will allow the consumer not to get lost in many brands and choose a quality product.
Model | Distance between axles, mm | Section Size (WxHxD), mm | Maximum working pressure, bar | Section thermal power, W |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rifar (Russia) | ||||
Rifar Forza 350 | 350 | 415*90*80 | 20 | 136 |
Rifar Forza 500 | 500 | 570*100*80 | 20 | 202 |
Rifar MONOLIT 350 | 350 | 415*100*80 | 100 | 136 |
Rifar MONOLIT 500 | 500 | 577*100*80 | 100 | 194 |
Global Radiatori (Italy) | ||||
Style 350 | 350 | 425*80*80 | 35 | 125 |
Style 500 | 500 | 575*80*80 | 35 | 168 |
Style Plus 350 | 350 | 425*80*95 | 35 | 140 |
Style Plus 500 | 500 | 575*80*95 | 35 | 185 |
Royal Thermo (Italy) | ||||
BiLiner Inox 500 | 500 | 574*80*87 | 20 | 171 |
BiLiner 500 | 500 | 574*80*87 | 20 | 171 |
Tenrad (Germany) | ||||
Tenrad 350 | 350 | 400*80*77 | 24 | 120 |
Tenrad 500 | 500 | 550*80*77 | 24 | 161 |
Gordi (China) | ||||
Gordi 350 | 350 | 412*80*80 | 30 | 460 |
Gordi 500 | 500 | 572*80*80 | 30 | 181 |
Sira Industrie (Italy) | ||||
Gladiator 200 | 200 | 275*80*80 | 30 | 90 |
Gladiator 350 | 350 | 275*80*80 | 30 | 140 |
Gladiator 500 | 500 | 423*80*80 | 30 | 185 |
Grandini (Italy) | ||||
Grandini 350 | 350 | 430*80*82 | 16 | 130 |
Grandini 500 | 500 | 580*80*80 | 16 | 167 |
Models, prices and their characteristics
The most popular and high-quality models include the following bimetal radiators:
- WB350 from WARMA BIMETALL. This product has dimensions: height - 41 cm, depth - 8 cm, center distance - 35 cm. Refers to prefabricated batteries. The number of sections varies from 5 to 6. The power of one section is 140 watts. Maximum network pressure up to 25 atm. Warranty 10 years. The cost of 450 rubles per section.
- WB500 from WARMA BIMETALL. Dimensions: height - 56 cm, depth 8 cm, center distance - 50 cm. The number of sections is from 6 to 7. The power of one section is 180 W. Maximum network pressure up to 40 atm. The cost of 600 rubles per section.
- Könner. Available with a center distance of 350 and 500 mm. Both options withstand a network pressure of 30 atm. Power from 140 to 190 watts. The maximum temperature of the heat carrier is 110 ° C. The volume of one section is 0.14 - 0.18 liters. Dimensions: height - 413 and 560 mm, depth - 80 mm, the width of one section is 80 mm. 15 year warranty. The cost per section is about 500 rubles. The number of sections is from 4 to 12.
- TENRAD BM350. The maximum pressure is 24 atm. The power of one section is 120 watts. The temperature of the coolant is not more than 120 ° C. The volume of one section is 0.15 liters. Dimensions: height - 400 mm, center distance - 350 mm, depth 77 mm, width of one section 80 mm. The cost is from 600 to 700 rubles per section. Number of sections from 4 to 12. Warranty 50 years.
- Radena Bimetall CS 500. Permissible network pressure 25 atm. The temperature of the coolant is not more than 110 ° C. The volume of one section is 0.13 liters. Dimensions: height - 552 mm, center distance - 500 mm, depth 85 mm, width of one section 80 mm. The cost is from 650 to 800 rubles per section. 15 year warranty.
Calculation of the number of required sections
In order to calculate the required number of radiator sections for efficient room heating, it will be necessary to determine the area of the room and know the heat transfer power of one section in watts. It is believed that 0.1 kW (or 100 W) of thermal energy per square meter is enough to create comfortable living conditions, which means that in order to obtain the required number of sections, the following calculations should be performed:
- Find the area (P) of the room (for example, 6 x 3 = 18 m2).
- Determine the power (M) of one section in W (for example, 170 W) according to the technical characteristics of the product.
- To determine the number of sections (K), you need to multiply the area by 100 W and divide by power.
The formula for calculating the number of sections is as follows: K = P * 100 / M
Installation of bimetallic radiators
If necessary, install bimetal heating radiators yourself. Before starting work, you should read the instructions that came with the equipment and correctly calculate the battery mounting location.
The radiator must be located in the middle of the window opening, the distance from the installation surface from 3 to 5 cm, the distance from the floor and window sill at least 10 cm. Having marked the installation location, you can proceed with installation. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Brackets are installed.
- A radiator is mounted on the brackets.
- Make a connection to the coolant.
- Install a thermal valve or drain valve.
- Install the Mayevsky crane to vent excess air.
Upon completion of all work, a protective film is removed from the surface of the radiator.